Sources indicate that George Lucas is set on rereleasing the "Star Wars" franchise in new 3D conversions beginning in 2012. Although 3D versions have been rumored for some time, Lucas purportedly was waiting until there were enough screens available to make the release a sizable event.

Fox, which released all six original "Star Wars" films, also would release the 3D versions.

Episode I, "The Phantom Menace," would be first out of star-dock during early 2012. After that, each film would be released in order at the same time in consecutive years, depending on how well the first rerelease does.

Each conversion takes at least a year to complete, with Lucas overseeing the process to make sure each is as perfect as possible. He has said that the "Avatar" experience convinced him that "Star Wars" is ready for the state-of-the-art 3D treatment.

Starting with "Phantom Menace," Lucasfilm would use several higher-end conversion houses to work on the project. By late winter or early spring in 2012, the exhibition industry should have all the 3D screens anyone could want for such a release.

At present, pics are limited to 2,000-2,500 3D locations owing to an insufficient installed base of projectors and screens. Movie theaters are adding 3D screens at a clip of 500 a month in the U.S. Foreign exhibitors also are pushing into 3D as quickly as possible now that financing for the installations is flowing.

Also pushing the timetable is a potential breakthrough in 3D TV technology. With Samsung penetrating the market with 50,000-plus 3D-equipped sets and Sony recently sending its version to market, the home-viewing experience could be primed for 3D DVD versions of the films by the time the new 3D theatrical releases have run their course.

Lucas purportedly is lining up the theatrical rereleases as a lead-in to the ultimate home-viewing experience. Beyond that, the property would launch to other 3D media.

In the meantime, Lucas plans a comprehensive Blu-ray Disc set of the six films next year, which would include upgraded picture and sound quality, new deleted scenes and special features.

I never understood the hate for Phantom Menace. I thought it was an awesome Star Wars film, complete with Jedi vs. Sith, a great race, awesome lightsaber battles and the perfect Jedi in Liam Neeson.

I also believe that it's John Williams finest Star Wars score, maybe his best score, ever.

Personally, Jar Jar never bothered me and I liked the story line quite a bit. With that said, AOTC is absolutely unwatchable for me and ROTS is only slightly better.

Liam Neeson's character was completely irrelevant. It should have just been Obi Wan. Instead we got a Jedi that cheated people using his force powers (Wato) and absolutely refused to use logic or proper reasoning at any point throughout the story. Also, we got Obi Wan doing jack shit except whining and pouting. Obi Wan should have been the one wanting to train Anakin from the beginning. It would have made the other two movies mean so much more.

Midichlorians (sp?) were a such a terrible addition they actually made the original trilogy worse. The entire premise for the peril of the Naboo people was incomprehensible and impausible. (The trade federation blocading against trade? What space supplies did these people need so desperately? WHERE WERE THE NABOOIANS??? (SP??))

Don't even get me started on the Senate scenes with all the politcal intrigue of late night C-Span.

That movie sucked. The original trilogy was great because it made us care about the characters. The only thing I cared about was seeing Jar-Jar die a horrible death and they couldn't even deliver on that. The only cool character in the movie got taken out like a total punk by a sniveling douchebag.

I'm just gonna stop myself, but I think you see where I'm going with this.

To me, Avatar was great because of the way the story was told. The story itself, in a nuts and bolts sense, is nothing special. But the world just felt so real, at least on a massive screen in 3D (for me it doesn't translate nearly as well viewing at home). But sometimes storytelling can elevate a shallow story into something great.

(That how I look at Mass Effect 2, to pull another artistic genre into this...)

The Phantom Menace, on the other hand, tells a bad story badly. The acting is bad, the script is bad, the story is awful, and then there's jar jar.